Source: Telegraph
Taunts motivated Gabby Agbonlahor in Aston Villa's derby win over Birmingham
For the second successive time at this ground, the Villa striker has headed a late goal to decide the fixture, for he secured a 2-1 win on Blues territory almost two years ago. Then, as now, he was forced to endure disgraceful insults aimed at his parentage, but Agbonlahor believes that rather than unsettling him, it spurs him on.
“It’s nice for the Villa fans to sing my name, but when they start doing that the Blues fans sing another version,” he said. “I think that’s what makes me score. If they keep singing that song, I’ll keep scoring.”
Villa’s win puts the club into sixth place in the Premier League. The club have rebounded having lost the first two games of the season, and have now won all four matches since. The second City derby was therefore crucial not only in securing the Birmingham bragging rights, but keeping Villa’s momentum going.
“It’s nice for Villa fans to be singing about me, but really it’s about us getting the three points,” Agbonlahor explained. “Being a local lad the derbies are important, but it was really about looking at the league rather than it being a derby.”
Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, was understandably delighted with Agbonlahor’s performance, and even happy to overlook the fact that the 22-year-old missed a sitter soon after he scored.
“I’m absolutely thrilled for him,” O’Neill said. “He is gaining in confidence again, goals of course help enormously. I thought he was excellent at Liverpool, excellent at Fulham and again today. He had another great chance just after the goal to make it two but I’ll forgive him.’’
Despite showing signs that he had broken into the England squad last season, Agbonlahor was overlooked by Fabio Capello last week, but O’Neill advised the striker to be patient.
“Until the World Cup gathers a bit of momentum perhaps in April time, I haven’t a major worry about that at the moment. If Gabby continues to play and perform right through the season there’s no reason for him to be disregarded.”
